Prominent UBC donor David Sidoo charged in alleged U.S. college admissions scheme

WATCH: Prominent Vancouver businessman caught up in U.S. school bribery scandal

A prominent B.C. businessman and philanthropist has been charged in connection with an alleged U.S. college admissions scheme.

David Sidoo, 59, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

An indictment alleges that Sidoo and others conspired to commit mail and wire fraud by “cheating on college entrance exams,” including by having someone “secretly take the exams in place of the actual students, or replace the students’ exam responses with his own.”

It is alleged Sidoo paid $200,000 to have someone take SATs for his two sons in 2011 and 2012.

Court documents claim each test involved paying money to William Singer, who arranged for Florida resident Mark Riddell to fly to Vancouver and take the exams.

One son attended Chapman University, the other UC-Berkeley.

It’s also alleged Riddell wrote provincial exams in Vancouver for one of the Sidoo children.

Sidoo was arrested on March 8 at the airport in San Jose, Calif., and remained in custody over the weekend. He was released Monday.

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None of the charges has been proven in court.

In a statement, Sidoo’s lawyer said: “The charge that has been lodged against David is an allegation that carries with it the presumption that he is innocent.

“We look forward to presenting our case in court, and ask that people don’t rush to judgment in the meantime.”

Here is the response from @David_Sidoo's lawyers. Cites his repeated recognition for philanthropic endeavors and that Sidoo looks forward to presenting case in court, and asks that people don't rush to judgment in the meantime. #bcpolipic.twitter.com/qFY8G1snVD

Sidoo is a former CFL player who later found business success in the energy sector. In recent years, Sidoo became a benefactor of the University of British Columbia’s football team. The Sidoo Field at Thunderbird Stadium is named in his honour.